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Special golf tournament at Pheasant Glenn

Oceanside Special Olympics' softball team enjoy the moment in Victoria last weekend.

— image credit: Vic Blasco photo

Pheasant Glen Golf Resort will be hosting a special tournament on Saturday, and it’s not too late to get in on the action.

A 1:30 p.m. shotgun start, the annual Oceanside Special Olympics Golf Tournament, said Gerri Thompson, local coordinator “is our major fundraiser of the year.”

All money raised from the tournament stays in the Oceanside area and is used to help pay for the swimming pool and bowling fees, as well as curling rink rentals, uniforms, “and other costs that we have.”

Oceanside Special Olympics has about 40 registered athletes this year, “and what a lot of people don’t know is that we have to pay the costs — we don’t get any government grants, so this golf tournament really carries us through to next year.”

To that end, they are still accepting individual and team entries. “We need golfers, hole sponsors, prizes...”

Cost is $90 per player which includes 18 holes of golf and a supper. “We sure are,” Thompson said when asked if they’re looking forward to the day of golf. “Lots of work involved, but it’s worth it.”

“The local group of Special Olympians just got back from a track meet in Victoria on the weekend, and are gearing up for their Provincials in Langley in July.”

Since 1980, Special Olympics B.C. has been committed to providing individuals with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to enhance their life and celebrate personal achievement through positive sport experiences. Special Olympics gives individuals the opportunity to participate in their community and develop a strong sense of belief in themselves.

“We currently offer year-round Olympic-type sports training and athletic competition to athletes within the Oceanside area. These activities give local athletes continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship,” said Thompson. As a non-profit organization, she points out, “we struggle with sourcing of necessary funding that will enable our volunteer core to maintain and grow our valuable programs and empower athletes to win in sport and in life.”

For more information e-mail Gerri at gerrithompson@shaw.ca or call 250-594-7769.

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